AK Steel will ship 1.35m tons in Q2 2012, up from Q1

US flat and stainless steel producer AK Steel expects its total shipments to be about 1.35 million tons in the second quarter of 2012, slightly more than in the first quarter, according to a press release published on Monday June 18.

June 18, 2012

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AK Steel expects its average per-ton selling price for the second quarter to be around the same level as in the first quarter.

“Due to increased uncertainty and volatility […] in the USA and in other markets […], including a recent deterioration in spot market pricing, AK Steel cannot provide reliable guidance at this time for the company’s results for the remainder of 2012,” it said.

It intends to benefit from higher operating rates and lower raw material costs in the second quarter of the year compared with the first quarter.

The company is based in West Chester, Ohio, and produces flat rolled carbon steel, stainless steel and electrical steel.

Its output is largely sold into the automotive, infrastructure, manufacturing, construction, electrical power generation and distribution markets.